When someone we love passes away, it’s hard enough to deal with the emotional weight of that loss. The last thing anyone wants is to get buried in paperwork and unanswered questions. One of the most common—and often overlooked—questions is: Did they have life insurance?
You might feel unsure about where to even begin. And that’s completely normal. The good news is that there are ways to find out, even if they never mentioned a policy to you.
Here’s how to approach it step-by-step, so you don’t feel like you’re stumbling in the dark.
Step 1: Start With What’s Close at Hand
When you’re just starting, the best place to look is right in front of you.
Go Through Their Paperwork
Start by checking files, folders, or drawers where they kept important documents. Life insurance policies are often tucked in with wills, mortgage papers, or tax returns. Even a simple printed statement could be the clue you need.
Look at Bank and Credit Card Statements
Recurring payments to an insurance company can be a helpful breadcrumb. Even if the policy was small, monthly or annual charges will often show up on bank records or credit card statements.
Search Their Email
If they managed their finances online, email can be incredibly useful. Try searching for terms like “life insurance,” “policy,” “premium,” or even the names of well-known insurers.
Check the Mail
If the loss was recent, keep an eye out for any letters from insurance companies. Annual summaries or premium notices might still arrive for a while after a person passes away.
Step 2: Ask the People Who Might Know
Sometimes, it’s not about what’s written down—it’s about who they told.
Talk to Their Employer or Former Employers
Many people have life insurance through work and don’t even think to mention it. Call the human resources department and ask if any group life insurance was part of their benefits.
Reach Out to Their Financial Professional
If they had a financial advisor, accountant, or even a long-time banker, these professionals may know if a policy was in place—or if they helped set one up.
Speak With Family and Close Friends
A trusted friend or family member may recall your loved one mentioning a policy in conversation. It’s not uncommon for someone to say, “I’ve got life insurance just in case,” without going into detail. It’s worth asking around gently.
Step 3: Use Trusted Tools to Do a Broader Search
If the first two steps don’t turn anything up, don’t give up. There are some helpful resources designed just for this situation.
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers a free tool that lets you request a search across multiple insurance companies. You fill out a form online, and if a policy exists, the company will contact you directly.
State Unclaimed Property Sites
If a life insurance payout went unclaimed, it may have ended up in the state’s unclaimed funds registry. Each state has one, or you can use MissingMoney.com to check multiple states at once. It’s easy, free, and surprisingly effective.
What to Do If You Find a Policy
Finding a policy can feel like a relief—and also bring up new questions.
Call the Insurance Company
The claims department will walk you through what’s needed, usually a certified death certificate and identification. The process is often more straightforward than people expect.
There’s Usually No Deadline to Claim
Many life insurance policies don’t have an expiration date on when you can file a claim. As long as the policy was active at the time of death, it may still be valid, even years later.
Most Benefits Are Tax-Free
In most cases, life insurance payouts are not considered taxable income. That means the full benefit goes to the beneficiary without needing to report it to the IRS. (Though there are exceptions, so it’s always good to confirm.)
3 Takeaways:
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Start with everyday sources—bank statements, email, paperwork, and conversations with people who knew them well.
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Use trusted tools like the NAIC Policy Locator and your state’s unclaimed property site to search wider.
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If you find a policy, claiming it is usually simple, and it may still be valid no matter how much time has passed.
If you’re going through this process right now, my heart goes out to you. If you want to make sure your loved ones never have to go through this same search, I can help with that too. Visit LifeGuy.com to schedule a conversation—no pressure, just good guidance when you need it.
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